مزدلفہ

What Does مزدلفہ Mean in Detail?

After sunset on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah (Day of عرفات), حجاج depart عرفات and travel approximately 9 kilometers to the open plain of مزدلفہ, also known as al-Mash'ar al-Haram (the Sacred Monument), as mentioned in قرآن مجید: 'When you depart from عرفات, remember Allah at al-Mash'ar al-Haram' (2:198). Upon arriving at مزدلفہ, حجاج combine and shorten Maghrib (3 rak'ahs) and Isha (shortened to 2 rak'ahs) نمازs, following the Sunnah of نبی کریم. They then spend the night under the open sky — there are no tents or structures, making it one of the most egalitarian experiences of حج. During the night, حجاج collect 49 or 70 pebbles (depending on whether they plan Nafr Awwal or Nafr Thani) for stoning the جمرات in the coming days, though pebbles may be collected from anywhere in the Haram. The Wajib component is the overnight stay (Mabit), with the minimum requirement being presence at مزدلفہ during the second half of the night or at Fajr time. Concessions allow the elderly, sick, and women with small children to depart after midnight. After praying Fajr, حجاج make دعا facing the Qiblah until shortly before sunrise, then proceed to منیٰ.